The decade-plus battle in Texas on whether to teach lessons on evolution and climate change flared up again Tuesday, as advocates on both sides pled their case in a debate on proposed high school biology textbooks.

The State Board of Education held a public hearing to consider
seven textbooks that have the potential to be used throughout the
state through 2022. If the books are printed for Texas, the
publishers are likely to mass-produce them, prompting other
states purchase the same reading material.

Dozens of science experts, parents, and activists testified
before the board at the crowded hearing in Austin for the right
to opine on proposed materials in the science books - as well as
books on math and technology - for the state’s public school
students, which total over five million. State law allows school
districts to pick textbooks and e-readers from a board-sanctioned
selection.

The board, which consists of 10 Republicans and five Democrats,
will vote on textbook selections in November.

"I ask you not to let Texas once again become a national
embarrassment," said Ron Wetherington, an anthropology
professor at Southern Methodist University, according to AP.

Publishers originally offered 15 science textbooks to the state,
but volunteer reviewers - some picked by current or former Board
members - found that eight of them fell short of state curriculum
standards. Textbook companies will be allowed to alter the
language of each edition before the board’s November vote, as
long as the copy is available to peruse online.

The social conservative bloc on the board, weakened in recent
years, has fought for textbooks to teach “all sides” of
evolution, while leaving room for
creationism. They’ve also pressed for skepticism in teaching
climate change.

Former board chair, dentist, and Young Earth Creationist Don
McLeroy, who lost a re-election bid in 2010, told his former
colleagues to “strike a final blow to the teaching of
evolution” and support biblical teachings in whatever
decision they make.

"What we see in the world around us supports what the Bible
says but what we see in these books supports what the Bible says
too," McLeroy said, according to AP.

He went on to say the proposed texts "have no evidence that
supports evolution." Though when asked what evolutionary
evidence was included, he said: "It's weak. Let the students
see how weak it is."

According to the San Antonio Current, McLeroy, who was appointed
the board’s chair by Gov. Rick Perry in 2007, said he had been
waiting four years to speak his mind on textbook standards and
was “excited” to finally be given the chance.

Rallies ahead of the hearing included 200 or so activists, many
wearing "Stand up For Science” t-shirts and holding signs
with messages including "Your kids deserve the truth" and
"Public schools, not Sunday schools.”